Reject the hate not the symbols and other letters to the editors

Hand writing
Hand writing

Reject the hate not the symbols

I am saddened by the senseless act of violence at the hands of a misguided man that left so many dead in a black church.

His words and deeds sicken us all. However, the reaction of many to the picture he posted of himself and the flag he held seems out of balance.

What if he had been wrapped in the American flag? Would we be calling for a ban on "Old Glory"? What if he were sitting on a Ford pickup wearing Calvin Klein jeans and Reebok shoes while drinking a Coke? Would there be a call to have us all riding mules, wearing flour sack pants, going barefoot and drinking river water from an unmarked tin can?

Our reaction should be against the act and mindset, not what he wrapped himself in.

To many in this world, our American Flag stands for hate. Should we bow to the will of those who burn our flag and kill our people on foreign soil by removing symbols of our great country and moving our civilization back hundreds of years?

I think not!

Dave Bolling, Rising Fawn, Ga.

Marriage always being redefined

The Free Press editor, seeking to redefine the issue, accuses the Supreme Court of redefining marriage. Throughout history, marriage has redefined itself. Talk of the biblical definition of marriage notwithstanding, it is not plausible in the present day that the crafty Laban could induce Jacob the patriarch to be married to his two daughters concurrently. And modern women, unlike their great grandmothers, need not choose between being spinsters and being nonpersons. The real issue is whether gay citizens are entitled to the equal protection of the laws. All the Circuit courts but one made an affirmative answer. By their responses, the opponents of marriage equality confirm the idiocy of their position. The religious right claim that preclusion from inflicting their own ignorance upon the entire country constitutes religious persecution. Conservative politicians ignore serious problems to vindicate the right not to bake a cake for a gay wedding. Ted Cruz says every local probate judge may interpret the law for himself and impose his views upon a dissident county. The purpose of these arguments is not to illumine. It is to generate publicity. Justice, faith and rational social policy are of no moment.

Barbara S. Arthur

The poor are people, too

Next to a recent commentary by Robin Smith is another entitled "A Campaign of Bombast and Ridicule," which also applies to Smith's Obama commentary. Smith's criticism of Obama programs are, in fact, criticisms of identical programs under previous administrations, including Reagan and the Bushes. For many years, in every single affordable housing program I have seen, there is a statement of commitment to build some of the units in the types of areas Robin identified. It is sad the GOP has chosen to demonize the poor rather than helping them. The poor are people, too.

Steve Daugherty Sr., Red Bank

Meaning of 2nd Amendment clear

I'm calling out a recent letter writer on his wording of the 2nd Amendment. In quotes, he has the first phrase correct, except there should be a comma after "free state" instead of a period. This is the type of deception that people who hate the 2nd Amendment use when discussing the issue. The following is the exact wording of the 2nd Amendment: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Some like to confuse the word "people" with "state" when firearms are discussed. I believe the Constitution is quite clear on that as well.

Brian Foley

God's law trumps Supreme Court

Long before there was a United States of America, long before there was a United States Supreme Court, when there were only two people on planet Earth (one male and one female), the eternal Creator of the universe proclaimed a universal law. Genesis 2:24 states: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.

Bill Greer, Hixson

Resist knee-jerk reaction to flag

A few months ago I noted the likelihood that gun control would be an immediate issue and that gun owners should be cautious about a knee-jerk reaction to the Sandy Hook massacre. Many folks ran to buy-back collection points like metal to a magnet. Some brave souls kept their guns and bought more. Then rainy days came in the form of Ferguson, Baltimore, New York City and others. Now the gun symbol has given way to others like statues and the Confederate battle flag. The gun is still in the minds of anti-gun advocates but the battle now takes on historical significance. We can watch while every politician in the United States swarms to eradicate the Confederate flag. Perhaps some of the souls who saw fit to hold onto their guns in light of a knee-jerk reaction will hold onto their wisdom and stop the political nonsense of removing a symbol of sacrifice from the history of the once greatest nation on Earth. God bless America!

Lawrence Headrick, Tunnel Hill, Ga.

Independence Day more than holiday

Robin Smith's commentary (June 29) was on target and vitally important! Let's, this Independence Day, take the opportunity to sincerely teach our children what Independence Day is truly all about, or at least was all about until someone came up with "July Fourth"! We understand our educational systems do not teach depth and detail about our Founding Fathers, our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence, much less the Federalists and Anti-Federalists negotiations that preceded the finalization of those documents. How close we actually came to not even having a United States of America, if it were not for total commitment by a few people. What about all of our soldiers who valiantly fought for - and many of our ancestors lost lives for - our country, for you? Why are those things not being taught in detail? That is what America has been about for more than 200 years! Various American polls show our nation sliding downhill and becoming socially and morally weaker in many ways recently. Why not strengthen our fought-for roots and become more patriotic Americans, as the years move forward, and live according to good, common sense, once again, for our children's sake?

Bob Klink

Founding Fathers would be horrified

Last week the Supreme Court defied biblical history, natural law and America's Judeo-Christian tradition by claiming gay marriage to be a constitutionally protected right. After 200 years, this "right" has suddenly been discovered by five liberal-leftist justices. Needless to say, the Founding Fathers would be horrified by this Supreme Court distortion of America's founding principles and values. Clearly, our nation's commitment to democratic principles - for the resolution of conflicts and differences - is being undermined by the leftist Obama administration and the autocratic, politicized, nine-person Supreme Court. America's commitment to Judeo-Christian morality is obviously crumbling under the failed leadership of liberal-leftist ideologues, the Democratic Party and the Obama administration. This is a tragedy of epic consequences! It is not what the American people wanted or expected. What's next? Polygamy? Bestiality? Clearly, the liberal-leftists are committed to destroying the moral fiber of our nation from within. It threatens our children and grandchildren. To make matters worse, America has countless numbers of politicians and government bureaucrats willing to surrender long-established moral principles for a few extra votes - or perhaps, for a psychological endorsement of their perverted beliefs. Heaven forbid!

William A. Paulels Sr.

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